Ranking Chain Restaurants

[ghostwhitehorse]

http://gawker.com/chain-restaurants-ranked-1621009287

28. Outback Steakhouse

27. Chili's

26. Johnny Rockets

25. Big Boy

24. Denny's

23. Cheddar's

22. Applebee's

21. Carrabba's Italian Grill

20. Cracker Barrel

19. Hard Rock Café

18. Planet Hollywood

17. Red Robin

16. On the Border

15. Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

14. Friendly's

13. T.G.I. Friday's

12. Uno Chicago Grill

11. Waffle House

10. IHOP

9. California Pizza Kitchen

8. Red Lobster

7. Hooters

6. P.F. Chang's

5. Pizza Hut

4. Ruby Tuesday

3. Olive Garden

2. Bonefish Grill

1. Benihana

[Merkin]

Over the last 12 months I have been to Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Red Robin once each. Did get some takeout from Pizza Hut also once.

Otherwise haven't been to any of the others in years.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Planet Hollywood is still a national chain?

[Chicat]

From the Dinner Tonight thread:

Pizza Hut

How is Pizza Hut these days? I remember it being pretty good. Do I misremember? What's the best pizza to order there now?

It's the best of the fast pizza chains IMHO.

Hand-tossed Meat Lovers FTW

pizza hut is terrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible. by far the worst of the pizza chains (well it's tied with papa johns)

all of pizza hut's food is frozen and reheated. they don't make the dough or stretch it or anything. just throw a hockey puck into a pan.

You'd eat Domino's over Pizza Hut?

You just invalidated all of your arguments . . . not only in this thread but in all threads . . . forever.

[Bear Down Vegas]

I'm down with the occasional Outback or PF Chang's run...not gonna lie. Also - how in the hell is Cheesecake Factory not even ranked? I kinda feel like that's the best chain joint.

[ghostwhitehorse]

The ranking is one dudes subjective opinion (which explains Pizza The Hutts high rank, and Red Robins low rank). Cheesecake Factory is not on there because he hasn't sampled their fare.

[CalStateTempe]

Seriously. Cheesecake Factory Hands down.

Acceptable for early dates, great shopping outings with wife, families, etc etc. Good place to watch the game, again, if you get suckered into a shopping trip with wife/SO.

A chain, that doesn't feel too chain like.

I do like me some Maggianos Little Italy as well.

[Longhorned]

Looks like Claim Jumper didn't make the list.

[CalStateTempe]

Looks like Claim Jumper didn't make the list.

Claim Jumper has perfected the art of "slop on a plate". Good food mind you, but heaps of it.

Can be pricey which is why the author doesn't know about it.

Macaroni Grill is way better than Olive Garden and their jug wine makes for a great buzz the rest of the day/evening.

[CalStateTempe]

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlf45egl ... e-factory/

This rank order seems more appropriate.

And Cheesecake Factory at #1!

[pokinmik]

Not that it's only them by any stretch, but I haven't been to Maggiano's since I dared to look up their nutrition facts. Some dishes were out of this world for fat and calories. Like many, many thousands of calories and hundreds of grams of fat and saturated fat.

I used to wait tables at Outback right out of college. Outback used to be awesome, at least the one I worked at. Only open at 4pm every day, so from 10AM to 4PM all the workers were prepping fresh food, honest to goodness fresh food. Then sales dipped and they went corporate about 6 years ago...frozen fries, simply focus on branding, etc. It sucks now, I'll never go to another Outback.

I got fed up with all the pizza chains too. I never eat any of them unless there are leftovers in the office or something and I'm starving. They're all kinda gross (or at minimum, make me feel gross after eating them).

I don't mind Cracker Barrel or Waffle House when I'm on the road and need a quick breakfast though.

[CalStateTempe]

Waffle House is the tits.

I have come to love that resturant since the road trip east and now living in the south. It is a heart attack on a plate but every so often on a road trip, it is so satisfying. Cheap too.

[ghostwhitehorse]

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlf45egl ... e-factory/

This rank order seems more appropriate.

And Cheesecake Factory at #1!

Much better. Except for Olive Garden. Their. Food. Is. BORING. Italian should never be boring.

[Alieberman]

Waffle house is awesome when I'm on or looking for meth.

[Longhorned]

I get stuck eating in some chain once in a while. Between those rare visits, I forget how truly bad that food is. It's just a "TV dinner" prepared in some factory in Cincinnati.

"How is your food tasting?" asks the Team Member in the striped shirt.

"Are you kidding me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. It isn't to your liking?"

"Well. I'm not a farm animal."

[CalStateTempe]

I admit that I do enjoy the occasional what my wife and I call "Suburban dining"

Helps when you live in locations where chains are limited...

[Longhorned]

I imagine Buffalo Wild Wings would be kind of good. But it wouldn't surprise me to learn I'm wrong.

[Merkin]

I get stuck eating in some chain once in a while. Between those rare visits, I forget how truly bad that food is. It's just a "TV dinner" prepared in some factory in Cincinnati.

Years ago I went to Applebee's where I live after it opened. Ordered some steak that had grilled onions, peppers and mushrooms on it. I hate mushrooms with a passion, and told the server to leave the mushrooms off.

She comes back 5 minutes later and says the cook can't do it, the grilled veggie mix comes pre-packaged like that, and therefor they cannot take the mushrooms out.

Never heard of such a thing then. They don't use fresh onions and bell peppers?

[Spaceman Spiff]

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlf45egl ... e-factory/

This rank order seems more appropriate.

And Cheesecake Factory at #1!

Speaking of nutrition, Cheesecake Factory is also at the top of "likely to kill you" list too.

[Olsondogg]

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlf45egl ... e-factory/

This rank order seems more appropriate.

And Cheesecake Factory at #1!

Speaking of nutrition, Cheesecake Factory is also at the top of "likely to kill you" list too.

With the menu they have, it is nearly impossible to have any fresh food in that kitchen...

[Longhorned]

I get stuck eating in some chain once in a while. Between those rare visits, I forget how truly bad that food is. It's just a "TV dinner" prepared in some factory in Cincinnati.

Years ago I went to Applebee's where I live after it opened. Ordered some steak that had grilled onions, peppers and mushrooms on it. I hate mushrooms with a passion, and told the server to leave the mushrooms off.

She comes back 5 minutes later and says the cook can't do it, the grilled veggie mix comes pre-packaged like that, and therefor they cannot take the mushrooms out.

Never heard of such a thing then. They don't use fresh onions and bell peppers?

What's worse is that it doesn't only happen in chain restaurants. It's pretty common for a place down the street to only serve food that they purchase pre-made by Sysco in Foxborough, Mass., delivered in those big Sysco trucks we see driving around, which deliver all kinds of restaurant supplies. They warm it up and put it on a plate and serve it. Thankfully, you can just tell even from the outside, and even the name. "Cocomo Joe's." Right.

[catgrad97]

Cheesecake and Claim Jumper were the two glaring omissions from that list, and Longhorned and CST nailed them for it right away. And yeah, I have to live on Pizza Hut for pizza around here, and most of the time Little Caesar's and Domino's kick its @$$.

Benihana = big disappointment. BWW is hit-and-miss--with families, mostly miss.

Of course, I can't reliably rank these, as none of them can frankly be counted on to serve fresh food in Arizona. Cheesecake Factory comes the closest IMHO.

[azgreg]

I like the Waffle House. You get that eating over the kitchen sink vibe.

[CalStateTempe]

I imagine Buffalo Wild Wings would be kind of good. But it wouldn't surprise me to learn I'm wrong.

In the two times I have been there I have always left dissatisfied. Generally sets in half-way through the meal.

Too many choices, pricey for what you actually get, not really a sports bar, just lame all around.

Did I mention how awful their wings are? Would rather go to wingstop.

BWW survives based on marketing alone.

[Salty]

California Pizza Kitchen

Oh yes

[Longhorned]

I imagine Buffalo Wild Wings would be kind of good. But it wouldn't surprise me to learn I'm wrong.

In the two times I have been there I have always left dissatisfied. Generally sets in half-way through the meal.

Too many choices, pricey for what you actually get, not really a sports bar, just lame all around.

Did I mention how awful their wings are? Would rather go to wingstop.

BWW survives based on marketing alone.

You see? I was imagining that those wings are good. Based on seeing them on TV.

[azgreg]

I imagine Buffalo Wild Wings would be kind of good. But it wouldn't surprise me to learn I'm wrong.

In the two times I have been there I have always left dissatisfied. Generally sets in half-way through the meal.

Too many choices, pricey for what you actually get, not really a sports bar, just lame all around.

Did I mention how awful their wings are? Would rather go to wingstop.

BWW survives based on marketing alone.

You see? I was imagining that those wings are good. Based on seeing them on TV.

no.

[Olsondogg]

Just reading this thread has given me diarrhea...

[devilswin99]

Olive Garden sucks.....bad! Even worse than Mitt Romney! I like Buffalo Wild Wings. Their chicken queso wrap is very good and I like thai sauce for the wings. Pizza Hut sucks and so does Little Ceasars....

[Merkin]

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlf45egl ... e-factory/

This rank order seems more appropriate.

And Cheesecake Factory at #1!

Much better. Except for Olive Garden. Their. Food. Is. BORING. Italian should never be boring.

I don't often go there, but when I do, even at dinner I just get the unlimited soup and salad.

[Longhorned]

Ok ok who makes a decent fried chicken these days? Including fast food chains? I haven't had KFC since 2001, and even then it wasn't in the U.S.

[azgreg]

Ok ok who makes a decent fried chicken these days? Including fast food chains? I haven't had KFC since 2001, and even then it wasn't in the U.S.

The KFC by my house has really gone down hill, but my wife likes the grilled there so......................................

[catgrad97]

Actually had some pretty tasty takeout from a Popeye's in Blythe last week, believe it or not.

[azgreg]

I haven't had Popeye's in ages.

[Bear Down Vegas]

Ok ok who makes a decent fried chicken these days? Including fast food chains? I haven't had KFC since 2001, and even then it wasn't in the U.S.

We have a few Raising Canes here in Vegas that are decent for fried chicken. Not sure how wide spread it is as a chain? I ate a lot of KFC growing up - easily more than any other fast food chain. My parents were big on the twice a month bucket of chicken to get ma out of the kitchen. I eat it now & can't believe we all survived it.

[CalStateTempe]

As far as fast food fried chicken, Bojangles and it isn't even close.

If you are ever in Durham, you have to, HAVE TO eat the Fried Chicken at Geer St Garden, best I have ever had, and fried chicken is one of those gold standard meals that I judge restaurants on.

Hursey's BBQ in Burlington makes a mean fried chicken as well.

http://geerstreetgarden.com
https://www.facebook.com/HurseysBBQ

[azgreg]

If you are ever in Durham,

Count on that never happening.

[azcat49]

Every Applebee's should be shut down for food poisening. It is terrible. Olive Garden is like dog chow. Not a fan of Pizza Hut. I think the only places that are chain restuarants I eat at are:

Red Lobster (I think its pretty good, just limited)

Texas Road House (Decent steaks and fast service)

Cheesecake Factory (underated I think)

[Merkin]

I do like the cheesy biscuits at Red Lobster.

I think their shrimp is all farmed though, so pretty tasteless.

[CalStateTempe]

The problem I have with Red Lobster is again the price to size ratio. At that point, I feel its better off the go to a real seafood restaurant and have better quality for the same price.

They do have damn good cheddar biscuits through. Sad to see they are dying as a chain.

[ghostwhitehorse]

Olive Garden sucks.....bad! Even worse than Mitt Romney! I like Buffalo Wild Wings. Their chicken queso wrap is very good and I like thai sauce for the wings. Pizza Hut sucks and so does Little Ceasars....

For once (mark this on your calendars people) I agree with DW99.

[CalStateTempe]

Little Ceasers is a damn good 5 dollar throwaway pizza.

[Alieberman]

Just reading this thread has given me diarrhea...

It may be more valuable to do a Top 10 diarrhea inducing chains.

I nominate 5 Guys

[azgreg]

Little Ceasers is a damn good 5 dollar throwaway pizza.

Get it for the kids often.

[ghostwhitehorse]

From a Pizza perspective. . . I have Papa Murphy's. Pizza The Hutt, Dominos, Little sleazer. . .fuck that shyte, gimmie some take 'n bake.

[phenom5]

Any list that includes Olive Garden @ #3 is null and void...and whatever else comes after null and void.

[Reydituto]

http://gawker.com/chain-restaurants-ranked-1621009287

That list is kind of silly, and the writer is a bit of a doofus if that's his real ranking.

I generally avoid chain restaurants when I can, although many of my friends don't care enough to. Also, in a city or town with limited and/or unfamiliar options (although sites like Yelp & Foursquare have rendered most of those concerns moot), a chain restaurant in a pinch can be reassuring.

Places I refuse to go to include Applebee's (the very definition of mediocrity), Ruby Tuesday's (a synonym for mediocrity), Denny's (I always find them depressing, a total punt on your meal if that's where you end up), Olive Garden (aka Italian "Applebee's", salad and breadsticks only go so far), Johnny Rocket's (used to love it, got sick from eating at the one by UA, never again), Cheesecake Factory (menu is too big, nothing there is that good), Cracker Barrel (the WalMart of chain eateries), Golden Corral (abhorrent slop), On The Border (abhorrent Gringo food), any of the national pizza chains (Sorry Chicat, but Pizza Hut sucks, and there are too many good pizzarias in Tucson that deliver - much less to go and sit at - to waste my time on national pizza chains), and any of the seafood chains like Red Lobster (EVERYTHING except the biscuits start frozen), Bubba Gump, Joe's, Pappadeaux, and Bonefish (too laden with entendre for me to take seriously). Used to like Outback before I read what pokinmik said about it, that's added to the "No" list now.

Chains I like enough to eat at include:
P.F. Chang's - although I prefer Pei Wei and rarely go to either;
Chili's - soft spot for their burgers from back before they were in Tucson, now entirely mediocre but I'm not as opposed to them as say, Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday;
Hooters - I like their wings, plus boobs;
Tilted Kilt - See Hooters;
Big Boy - Been over a decade since I've been, but would try again
Carrabba's - so much better than Olive Garden, and IMO better than Macaroni Grill
Hard Rock Cafe - Haven't been to one in years, but to me it has kitsch appeal in a city I haven't been to before, but oddly enough I don't feel the same about Planet Hollywood, which I always thought sucked;
Waffle House - Have to be drunk and/or in another state on a road trip, but it has it's place;
IHOP - When I just don't give a fuck about my health;
Red Robin - See IHOP
Claim Jumper - See Red Robin, x2 for massive portions
BJ's Brewpub - Just barely on the good side of "Meh"
Old Chicago - More for the beer selection than the food
Gordon Biersch - Solid but not spectacular, and would rather frequent better microbrewers
Wingstop - Decent wings in a pinch
Chipotle - Never a complaint there.
Eegee's - Food not as good as it used to be, but love the slushies
Subway - Usually avoid, but never had a bad sammy there, just kinda meh, too many other good local options

Never been to Cheddar's, Friendly's, Maggiano's, Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse (too many good local places or better steakhouse chains) or Benihana. T.G.I. McFunster's is a "maybe", used to like trivia night there in grad school, but to me it's unremarkable. CPK used to be good, but I haven't been in a while, and there are too many good places to sit down for pizza in AZ - same thing for Uno's which I haven't been to since I was in undergrad.

At the end of the day, I try to eat local as much as possible, but it doesn't always work out that way.

"Well. I'm not a farm animal."

Ha, so true. Centralized processing kills flavor and texture.

Years ago I went to Applebee's where I live after it opened. Ordered some steak that had grilled onions, peppers and mushrooms on it. I hate mushrooms with a passion, and told the server to leave the mushrooms off.

She comes back 5 minutes later and says the cook can't do it, the grilled veggie mix comes pre-packaged like that, and therefor they cannot take the mushrooms out.

Never heard of such a thing then. They don't use fresh onions and bell peppers?

Exhibit A for the jury. That place actually makes me a little angry.

BWW is hit-and-miss--with families, mostly miss.

Of course, I can't reliably rank these, as none of them can frankly be counted on to serve fresh food in Arizona. Cheesecake Factory comes the closest IMHO.

The BWW in Prescott wasn't so bad G.

But yeah, BWW is hit and miss. The ones in Tucson at Broadway/Harrison and at I-19/Valencia were decent last times I went, but the one on Oracle was terrible - I don't think they've ever cleaned their beer lines, I had to send back the wings I got to be cooked more, and service was lacking. Count me wary of their QC right now.

In the two times I have been there I have always left dissatisfied. Generally sets in half-way through the meal.

Too many choices, pricey for what you actually get, not really a sports bar, just lame all around.

Did I mention how awful their wings are? Would rather go to wingstop.

BWW survives based on marketing alone.

Good points CST. Used to love the one near my old office in the East Valley, but the one by ASU was almost as bad as the Tucson Oracle one. Like wings at Wingstop better too, but neither are my go-to wings place in Tucson.

If you are ever in Durham,

Count on that never happening.

Take the idea of Duke Basketball out of the equation, and I really like the Research Triangle. Been a while though since I've been through there ...

The problem I have with Red Lobster is again the price to size ratio. At that point, I feel its better off the go to a real seafood restaurant and have better quality for the same price.

They do have damn good cheddar biscuits through. Sad to see they are dying as a chain.

Cheddar biscuits - as good as they are - aren't reason enough. Not surprising they are dying off.

Any list that includes Olive Garden @ #3 is null and void...and whatever else comes after null and void.

Lloyd? He's all null and void, got dissed in the Malibu, not sure what to do ...

[Alieberman]

Really Rey?

"Eegee's - Food not as good as it used to be, but love the slushies"

Slushies? You should be up for banishment for calling an eegee a slushie.

[UAEebs86]

Really Rey?

"Eegee's - Food not as good as it used to be, but love the slushies"

Slushies? You should be up for banishment for calling an eegee a slushie.

True, but I'm willing to let it slide for the Say Anything reference.

[scumdevils86]

good stuff from Rey...I feel the same about most of your descriptions. I really don't eat out that often anymore but when I do it is almost never a chain. Always something local with people who do this for their livelihood and like to serve great, fresh food.